SAN ANTONIO — A decade has passed since Bruce Pearl of Auburn and Kelvin Sampson of Houston found themselves on the outskirts of college basketball following harsh penalties from the NCAA. Now, both coaches have been propelled into the limelight, each leading their teams to the Final Four. In this week’s match-ups, Auburn is set to face Florida while Houston meets Duke, marking a significant milestone in their remarkable comebacks.
Their journey from being marginalized figures to potential champions mirrors the evolving dynamics of college sports over the past four years. The recruitment violations that almost ended their careers seem almost quaint in today’s atmosphere, where endorsements for name, image, and likeness (NIL) dominate, allowing players—and coaches—the flexibility to navigate as freely as financial agreements will permit. Coaches now equally consider school payments alongside player recruitment terms.
“If you’ve got finances to play at the NIL level, it might be simpler,” Tennessee’s coach Rick Barnes remarked recently. “If not, you’re in a bind. Administrators need to consider whether they’re providing the essentials for coaches to reach desired levels.”
The coaching carousel, a mainstay of collegiate competition, has taken an unusual turn in 2025. This year, five significant coaching changes involved those who led teams to victories in March Madness, marking a considerable increase from previous years, including the pre-NIL era. While some transitions, like Dusty May moving from Florida Atlantic to Michigan, were viewed as logical steps up, others, like Kevin Willard’s departure from a prominent program at Maryland to Villanova, stirred controversy.
Meanwhile, in a more traditional career move, Will Wade has resurfaced from a period of controversy at McNeese to seize an opportunity with North Carolina State in the ACC. His previous entanglements, involving payments for recruitment and subsequent FBI investigation, cost him his job at LSU, reflecting a tumultuous era in his career. “What happened was unfair, and cost a lot for little reason,” Wade admitted, noting the stark contrast with today’s permissible NIL deals.
Similarly, both Sampson and Pearl faced setbacks tied to recruitment norms of a different time. Sampson’s frequent calls to a committed player and Pearl’s hosting of a recruit at his home seem negligible violations today, given the current headlines of lucrative player endorsements. Pearl, who endured the fallout over a recorded call during his time at Iowa, struggled for years before reestablishing himself.
In today’s sports landscape where resources often favor football, both Pearl and Sampson face decisions in schools where football dominance is key. While the Southeastern Conference (SEC) thrives with a notable presence in March Madness, as highlighted by Pearl’s optimism, other programs like Houston continue to juggle success across different sports amidst resource allocation challenges.
Pearl remains optimistic about the SEC, emphasizing its steadfast commitment to excellence across all sports. Nevertheless, as the rulebook continues to develop in this new era, questions linger about the resource management needed to maintain successful programs in colleges like Houston, where football and basketball must coexist competitively.
The balancing act of financial priorities in athletic departments impacts not only strategy but also the broader objectives of maintaining fair competition, as echoed by UMass coach Frank Martin. As decisions about focus and funding allocation are made, the push for equity and comprehensive strength across sports remains paramount.